Help, 1600 engine won't start !

[Stew Forsyth]

Hi fellow early bayers, I have tried everything however can't get my 1600 to start. New coil, plugs getting spark, it's getting fuel, no leaks at connection of carb and inlet manifold, timing appears to be ok and fuel cut off is working. When i took plugs out to dry them, they were a bit wet with fuel, I would put them back in and on the first turn it caught very briefly, but then didn't. I'm pulling my hair out, any ideas thanks

 

[sparkywig]

If the plugs are wet, then you're flooding the engine. Try starting it without any throttle.
Are you sure the timing is correct?

 

[Stew Forsyth]

If the plugs are wet, then you're flooding the engine.
Are you sure the timing is correct?

Thanks, good point. I set timing using static method ie light on when negative at coil and earth, didn't start. The light stayed on for a fair degree of movement of the dizzy therefore tried it at various stages of the move. Visually it looks OK though ie rotor arm, slightly advanced meets plug 1 at TDC.

 

[67panel]

That method is okay as long as you turn the engine over to set it, light comes on as marks line up. Setting the marks and turning the dizzy will be miles out.

 

[Stew Forsyth]

That method is okay as long as you turn the engine over to set it, light comes on as marks line up. Setting the marks and turning the dizzy will be miles out.

Thanks, it sounds like a timing issue however still scratching my head

 

[sunnyside]

Are you definitely on TDC on no 1 cylinder? (no 1 is forward RH). The piston comes to the top of the cylinder twice, once on compression stroke then again on exhaust stroke. It’s possible you could be setting up the dizzy on the exhaust stroke, then all the ignition leads will be out of sync and it won’t ever start. Easiest way to tell is to take the rocker cover off of the RH side and make sure both rockers of no 1 cylinder are loose at TDC. Then see where the rotor arm of the dizzy points and arrange the leads in the correct order clockwise from there. If one of the rockers aren’t loose, turn the engine another full turn to get to TDC on the compression stroke and go from there.

 

[ozziedog]

When was the last time the motor was running properly ?? And what has been done to it since then?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,It’s usually one of the last things we touched.

 

[Stew Forsyth]

Hi ozziedog and co,

I wondered whether it was low compression however it is averaging 150psi all round so all good there (thankfully). It is now running with some coaxingf, number 1 cylinder is not getting ignition. Can someone please adivse the best spark plugs for the 1600 engine thanks ? I'm going to try new plugs, check the leads etc, getting there !!

 

[ozziedog]

It’s not so much the spark plugs but what size they are and that’s usually dictated by the heads. I’d look at the size of the ones coming out, both numerical and physical , then order some nice new NGK plugs and gap em before plonking them in. If you think the plugs may be the problem, try either swapping the plugs and possibly the leads too and see if you can duplicate the fault on a different cylinder. With a plug out, and on the ends of the leads, are they all firing ?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,wanna hope so !

 

[Stew Forsyth]

Thanks Ozziedog, I'll try that and let you know, chuffed the compression is up there, i was worrying about that as the engine was turning over very quickly....

 

[redgaz54]

Hi ozziedog and co,

I wondered whether it was low compression however it is averaging 150psi all round so all good there (thankfully). It is now running with some coaxingf, number 1 cylinder is not getting ignition. Can someone please adivse the best spark plugs for the 1600 engine thanks ? I'm going to try new plugs, check the leads etc, getting there !!

NGK . I'd use Permatex silver grease on the threads, the Bentley manual advises this too.